(Mt 2: 1-12)
Today we reflect on the visit of the wise men from
the East to the new born Baby Jesus. We journey with them as they depart from
Herod’s palace, gradually tracing the trail of the bright star down to the
little town of Bethlehem. At least, the evidence of the chief priests and
scribes had given them convincing assurance that the star was moving in the
right direction. We follow them in silence and contemplation, watching them keenly
with closed eyes but open hearts,
hoping to learn from them how to be wise and pay homage to Jesus.
The joy on their faces was overwhelming as the star
halted. How come following the star to an unknown destination brought such
delight to them? (cf Mt 2:10). Obviously, their delight lies in what the star
was leading them to and, having arrived, their joy knew no bounds. We come to
realize from this experience that such a journey to meet with Jesus carries
some spark of joy even when it appears to be heading to an unforeseen
destination.
Watching from a close distance as they enter the
manger, we see their eyes gazing on the Child Jesus and His Mother Mary (Cf Mt
2:11). This simple and quick act of these nomadic sages immediately passes a
message: the eye that beholds Jesus will equally recognize his Mother, who is
always at the service of her Son. Mary does not take the homage, but her
presence gives the wise men some sort of prompt
to pay homage to Jesus. Indeed, wise men behold Jesus and Mary!
Suddenly and dramatically they fall on their knees…
(Mt 2:11). We look at them and give a half smile; these men do not look a bit
like the modern man. After such a long and weary journey they should be relaxed
in a comfortable cushion and express their homage or, at least, remain
standing. Is it not the heart that matters? However, as we watch them in
silence with a modern disposition, we wonder why they did not flaunt their
expensive gifts first but bent their knees before Jesus. Looking at them on
bended knees, it dawned on us that they did not just come to present gold,
frankincense and myrrh but to acknowledge Jesus and offer themselves. This
self-offering would be symbolized by their gifts.
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As the sages unfold the second treasure, the calm
fragrance of frankincense filtered around the manger. Deep within we are still wondering
what these men are up to. Why are they offering this liturgical perfume used by
the priests to Baby Jesus? These men must be exceptionally wise to have been
able to project through their offerings what their faith grasps about Jesus! The
presence of this priestly perfume deepens our contemplation to see in Jesus our
eternal priest and mediator (cf ITim 2:5, Heb 9:5), the God among us. Here is
the one through whom our prayers are granted (cf Jn 14:13-14). Therefore, we
must always come before Him with the frankincense of our prayers: praise, adoration, thanksgiving, petitions,
etc.
While wrapped in the soothing fragrance of the
frankincense, the scent of another perfume intervenes. Looking up, we can see the
wise men laying down their gift of myrrh! This balm was used in anointing dead.
The sages are giving the message: this child is born to die. He would offer His
life in sacrifice. In paying Him homage, wise men (of all generations) do not
forget this saving sacrifice. So they will always come with myrrh, the balm of
sacrifice. And the myrrh we present to Jesus today are our sacrifices for one another
i.e. the moments we lay down our lives for others (cf. I Jn 3:16). The
ingredients making up our myrrh include our little acts of charity, kindness,
forgiveness, patience, etc. We cannot come to pay Him homage empty handed. That
would be foolishness.
Now we have learnt the lesson. The nomadic sages are
the best teachers in this regard. In paying homage to Jesus there is nothing
else to bring other than our gold, frankincense and myrrh i.e. our hearts,
prayerfulness and love of neighbour. If we do this, God will speak to us (cf Heb
1:2) as He did to the wise men from the East. And He will direct our steps away
from the wicked Herod (Mt 2:12), opening for us a new pathway that will lead us
to our eternal home.
Fr Jude C. Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
St Michael's Catholic Church,
Kado, Abuja,
Nigeria.
January 6th, 2013.
